EMPORIA – Twenty-five nominees were recognized at this year’s Dwight and Ida C. Newberg Outstanding and Distinguished Senior Awards.
Nominees, who must have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher and be graduating this year, submit information about their accomplishments during their time at ESU, as well as letters of recommendation. A panel of judges consisting of staff, faculty and current students review the nominees’ materials, areas of academic success, community involvement and overall honors, with the top two selected as the Outstanding and Distinguished Seniors.
Students from this area who were nominated are: Rachel Shaffer of Iola, majoring in theatre and Lexie Vega of Iola, majoring in speech and theatre.
Rachel Shaffer received the top honor, the Outstanding Senior Award and a $600 prize. Kimiya Noor received this year’s Distinguished Senior Award and a $400 prize.
The Outstanding and Distinguished Senior Awards are named in honor of Dwight and Ida Curry Newberg, who provided endowed funds for the awards.
The fund was of particular interest to Dwight, as he received the Outstanding Senior Award in 1933. Dwight was a special agent for the FBI and served as the national program director for the United Methodist Church until 1977. Ida was a primary school teacher in Otis and Junction City.
